How Changing Seasons Affect Diabetes

Here comes the sun, and I say, it's alright." Those words by the Beatles resonate with most, particularly after a long, cold, gray winter. But if you have diabetes, you may not be as enthusiastic about the arrival of hot weather, especially if it comes with humidity.

It turns out that it is not only what you eat affects blood glucose levels, external factors – especially weather both hot and cold – do too. As part of your diabetes management, you need to factor in seasonal changes.

Glucose fluctuations due to extreme heat and diabetes

Rising temperatures can affect blood sugar, especially if you use insulin and you do not manage your blood sugars effectively. Hot temperatures change how your body uses insulin. Depending on your level of activity, you may increase your risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) as well as high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

Extreme heat and diabetes is a problem because the disease makes it easier for you to become dehydrated. The risk of higher blood sugar is greater when you are dehydrated because less blood flows to your kidneys. The reduction in blood flow means your kidneys do not work as efficiently to clear excess glucose from your urine. [1] Also, when blood glucose levels are too high, your body attempts to remove the excess glucose through frequent urination. This leads to further dehydration and in turn higher blood sugar levels.

Because of glucose fluctuations, you need to take extra precautions and monitor your blood sugar levels before engaging in exercise with diabetes and extreme heat. Talk to your doctor before incorporating physical activity into your diabetes regimen.

Managing diabetes in extreme heat is even more serious if you take insulin. Hot temperatures can affect the speed at which your body uses insulin. When the temperature goes up, your body may absorb and use insulin quicker than in cooler temperature. If insulin is working faster, your blood sugar levels could drop more quickly than expected.[2]

During extreme heat, you may need to test your glucose more often and adjust your insulin dosages. It is important to test your blood sugar before, during and after you engage in physical activity and take the appropriate action regarding insulin.

Even when it may not seem too hot, having diabetes in extreme heat combined with humidity can be dangerous. When sweat evaporates on your skin, it removes heat and cools you. However, since sweat cannot evaporate well in high humidity, it is more difficult to stay cool. If you are going to be outdoors exercising or just enjoying the sun, check the heat index. It is a measurement that combines heat and humidity.

Extreme heat can impact medications and equipment

Extreme temperature and diabetes medications and equipment can be a problem. Extremely high temperatures can damage medications and equipment. Most types of insulin can stand temperatures up to 93 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. However, temperatures higher than that can make the medication break down.[3] Be careful about carrying insulin in the heat. Do not store insulin or oral diabetes medicine in direct sunlight or in a hot car.

Hot temperature can impact the effectiveness of other medications and diabetes management equipment and supplies, such as test strips and monitoring devices. Protect these supplies as the temperature goes up.

Management tips for extreme heat and diabetes

Here are tips to enjoy the outdoors avoid problems of diabetes and extreme heat:[4]

Stay hydrated: drink plenty of water and avoid becoming dehydrated. In addition to carrying water consider low-calorie electrolyte replenishing sports drinks

Avoid sunburn: Use a broad spectrum sunscreen and wear a hat and sunglasses.

Wear the right gear: Loose fitting, lightweight and light colored clothes.

Adjust insulin as needed. Find out from your healthcare provider how to adjust your insulin before exercising.

Test blood sugar frequently: Continue monitoring your blood for several hours after working out or engaging in other activity.

Have glucose tablets or gel on hand: Items such as these are important with diabetes and extreme heat to treat low blood sugar.

Take healthy snacks: Talk to your doctor about healthy snack options to have on hand to help prevent low blood sugar.

Winter can affect blood sugar

It is not only extreme heat that can affect diabetes; wintry weather also can. The problem with cold weather and diabetes is stress. Cold temperatures put stress on your body. In turn, your body releases stress hormones, such as cortisol, which boost energy. However, these hormones also reduce the production of insulin.

Since insulin helps move blood sugar into cells, when you have less insulin, sugar remains in the blood. Stress hormones also stimulate the liver to make and release more blood sugar, in turn increasing blood sugar levels.

Cold weather and diabetes present other issues related to blood sugar. Flu is prevalent in colder months. It can trigger your body to release stress hormones to boost energy and fight infection. Here too, stress hormones increase blood sugar levels.

Also, it is more challenging to stay active outdoors during the cold months of winter. The winter holiday season may disrupt meal plans. Together, these factors can lead to an increase in blood sugar.

Tips for cold weather and diabetes management

During cold weather you will want to:

Check your blood sugar on a regular basis: You may need to do this more often if you are having symptoms of low blood sugar.

Stay warm: You can try some physical activities at home to keep moving. Tune into Yoga or Zumba videos If chilled, rely on the old standbys, a nice hot cup of tea and a warm blanket.

Get your flu shot: it can help reduce your chances of getting the flu.

Follow your meal plan: It is easy to indulge when you are indoors more. Try to stay on track with your diabetes meal plan and reduce your carbohydrate intake.

Seasons come and go. Do not let them affect your blood sugar levels and diabetes management plans.